Imperium #2 Discussion

[Keith]

Wow... this was a surpisingly Harada-less issue of a comic about Toyo Harada!

I really enjoyed how, in focusing so much on Grave Dog, we were also refamiliarized with H.A.R.D. Corps and Project: Rising Spirit. Hi Kozol, your *SQUEE* self has been missed.

[BugsySig]

Awesome read. Gravedog is an amazing character. Based on his comments and background, it's easy to understand how he becomes aligned with Harada.

I can't wait to see more on him and learn about Sunlight on Snow!

[Brapbrap]

incredible issue - gravedog is a great character, hopefully next issue is about harada though

[jmatt]

What a fantastic issue and title! Wow! The tease for the next issue? Is Gravedog Vine?

Dysart is a freaking genius. Art was phenomenal!

My only concern would be if new readers can distinguish between PRS, HardCorps, Harada, the Foundation...lotta different factions and names getting tossed around. I don't know how to read it like a noobie would. They should flesh it out more on the inside flap.

[mateo107]

great issue, it's hard to believe they went with this story in just the 2nd issue. it seems they could have spent a whole arc fighting H.A.R.D.Corps. I guess the first arc is focusing more on the people around Harada than on him. at first I was a little disappointed that the H.A.R.D.Corps members were all new characters, but then I was glad there weren't any of the familiar faces when they all got killed. this is turning into an interesting cast of characters, now I really want to see them go up against Major Palmer's team.

[pixierosa]

Loved this book. Dysart does such a good job creating characters. Gravedog comes across as crass and less-than-intelligent when he's actually wily as a fox. Will be curious to see if he really believes in Harada's vision or if it's just a means to another end - his freedom.

Nice to see PRS again and have Kozol fail miserably. Angela is intriguing. And what about that dream Gravedog had? Just a dream representing her and the pain involved with their testing/powers, or did they know each other before, and this is a memory?

Also nice to see Rachel again. Last we saw her, she was in a Harbinger mental facility. So she's either recovered fully, or Harada is so hard up for psiot numbers that he has to use everyone.

I like that we are kept up-to-date on how Harada's work is progressing via third parties. It spares us the details and meetings of making it all happen and gives us the perspective of what his followers are thinking about him -- and what the opposition believes. That's a great approach for learning about a cult figure -- they are a bit enigmatic and the average person's perceptions will be based on other people's experience.

I did a review for Valiant Central and mentioned the recreation of the U.N. security chamber mural in the background of the panel with Darpan and Kiki. It's the phoenix rising from ashes, and the representation of the world rebuilding after WWII. That's what's happening again - a world confrontation and a new world order emerging from the ashes of Harada's old empire. Dysart said I'm the only reviewer who mentioned the symbolism of what that panel meant

Can't wait for Sunlight on Snow's issue! All of these characters and their various goals are going to clash dynamically with Harada when he returns to the spotlight.

[Aomalle27]

think gravedog is pulling a double switch. he gives the expendable speech to Pig Killer; gets to off the prs traitor, is a cheken with ties to no one. He's the kind of man to kill Harada, in his own words. What better way to ingratiate oneself to Harada and get close enough to off him, then by saving RAw and stronghold?

[BugsySig]

great issue, it's hard to believe they went with this story in just the 2nd issue. it seems they could have spent a whole arc fighting H.A.R.D.Corps. I guess the first arc is focusing more on the people around Harada than on him. at first I was a little disappointed that the H.A.R.D.Corps members were all new characters, but then I was glad there weren't any of the familiar faces when they all got killed. this is turning into an interesting cast of characters, now I really want to see them go up against Major Palmer's team.

The book is called Imperium, not Harada, for a reason. Its as much about the world's reaction to Harada's new Imperium as it is about Harada. We are seeing both that reaction and the formation of Harada's support system.

In a way, its almost the opposite of how Harbinger began, where Dysart focused almost exclusively on Pete and Harada, before forming the Renegades in the second arc.

think gravedog is pulling a double switch. he gives the expendable speech to Pig Killer; gets to off the prs traitor, is a cheken with ties to no one. He's the kind of man to kill Harada, in his own words. What better way to ingratiate oneself to Harada and get close enough to off him, then by saving RAw and stronghold?

That is definitely a possibility. Kozol is just a big enough *SQUEE* to sacrifice the rest of the team to do so. That is, if Gravedog hasn't come up with this plan all alone. And if it even is his plan. That's what makes the story so great.

[Donovan]

Gravedog.

Wow.

I love Dysart's Valiant stuff. Great colour work by Dave McCaig as well. My only minor complaint might be Braithwaite. I think I might prefer his art to be inked rather than pencils-to-colour. That's extremely minor, because I love the rest of his storytelling and figures, etc. It just feels a little washed out and mildly underwhelming. (That's only because I'm comparing it to my experience of his inked work. He's long been one of my favourite artists!)

[David_Cody]

Excellent book. Terrific writing. These little bread crumbs leading the reader along. That dream sequence was very interesting. Love how at the end, you're still left guessing.

One a side-note all copies of Imperium at my LCS had jacked up covers. This the first time I couldn't even find one that was decent. Sure, I'm a reader first, but I do save my books, too.

[Michael_Ayer]

I thought that given the cover it was obvious that grave dog would defect to Harada. However, I did enjoy the way it all happened. I also like rant he killed three of the characterless new recruits from HC that we learned about earlier. Looks like HC roster is back to the early team.

[hunter_peterson]

This issue was incredible! BRING ON LORD VINE!

[jmatt]

Dysart said I'm the only reviewer who mentioned the symbolism of what that panel meant

Nice catch, Pixie!

think gravedog is pulling a double switch. he gives the expendable speech to Pig Killer; gets to off the prs traitor, is a cheken with ties to no one. He's the kind of man to kill Harada, in his own words. What better way to ingratiate oneself to Harada and get close enough to off him, then by saving RAw and stronghold?

An interesting angle, I hadn't considered that.

[Brother Darque]

one of the best books out there right now, i have to say.

[hkupo]

I did a review for Valiant Central and mentioned the recreation of the U.N. security chamber mural in the background of the panel with Darpan and Kiki. It's the phoenix rising from ashes, and the representation of the world rebuilding after WWII. That's what's happening again - a world confrontation and a new world order emerging from the ashes of Harada's old empire. Dysart said I'm the only reviewer who mentioned the symbolism of what that panel meant

That's really cool, you shoud've milked it for an early copy of Ninjak. I have no shame.

I feel the same as the others in thinking that Grave Dog's defection may have been a feint. As we've seen in the original Harbinger Wars that started the conflict between PRS and Harada, is that it's possible to plant a traitor within his inner circle without him knowing. PRS's knowledge of Psiots and their tech has grown exponentially so it's possible that they've prepared or created a type of undetectable mole for a situation like this.

[jmatt]

I feel the same as the others in thinking that Grave Dog's defection may have been a feint.

If it is, he's acting solo. Otherwise we would not have seen a conversation between him and Kozol about cameras to catch the mole without any mention of the bigger plan at hand.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

My only complaint is that this is going to be a miniseries. I want this quality of comic book ALL the time! Not just 4 or 5 issues!
Best book on the stands. Period.

[mateo107]

My only complaint is that this is going to be a miniseries.

no, actually, this is an ongoing series.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

My only complaint is that this is going to be a miniseries.

no, actually, this is an ongoing series.

ReallY?!?!
It's too hard keeping track anymore!

[DirtbagSailor]

My only complaint is that this is going to be a miniseries.

no, actually, this is an ongoing series.

ReallY?!?!
It's too hard keeping track anymore!

+1

[hawkeyeps]

I feel the same as the others in thinking that Grave Dog's defection may have been a feint.

If it is, he's acting solo. Otherwise we would not have seen a conversation between him and Kozol about cameras to catch the mole without any mention of the bigger plan at hand.

I think Kosul is in on it. After Gravedog takes down Law he activates a device that sends a signal to the leviathan and one of the lifeline operators presses a button and the chopper blows up and their powers are cut off.

[jmatt]

I feel the same as the others in thinking that Grave Dog's defection may have been a feint.

If it is, he's acting solo. Otherwise we would not have seen a conversation between him and Kozol about cameras to catch the mole without any mention of the bigger plan at hand.

I think Kosul is in on it. After Gravedog takes down Law he activates a device that sends a signal to the leviathan and one of the lifeline operators presses a button and the chopper blows up and their powers are cut off.

Perhaps solo was the wrong word; I meant Kozol doesn't know. I think it's possible Gravedog was working in cahoots with Rachel.

Hear me out:

Gravedog wants to join Harada. He somehow establishes contact.

Kozol gives Gravedog permission to access the Lifeline Bay.

Gravedog rigs Lifeline so he can't be terminated.

We see Rachel having some kind of mind-meld with Harris, the traitor Gravedog caught. Rachel gives him commands; Harris may not even be in control of his own will.

The HardCorps team flies in and combat initiates.

At the right moment, Gravedog is seen sending a command to Harris, who then blows up their craft and pulls the plug on HardCorps powers for the team members.

Other team members get killed, Gravedog has delivered himself and a HardCorps brain unit to Harada who we've seen try to get one in the past.

[hawkeyeps]

I feel the same as the others in thinking that Grave Dog's defection may have been a feint.

If it is, he's acting solo. Otherwise we would not have seen a conversation between him and Kozol about cameras to catch the mole without any mention of the bigger plan at hand.

I think Kosul is in on it. After Gravedog takes down Law he activates a device that sends a signal to the leviathan and one of the lifeline operators presses a button and the chopper blows up and their powers are cut off.

Perhaps solo was the wrong word; I meant Kozol doesn't know. I think it's possible Gravedog was working in cahoots with Rachel.

Hear me out:

Gravedog wants to join Harada. He somehow establishes contact.

Kozol gives Gravedog permission to access the Lifeline Bay.

Gravedog rigs Lifeline so he can't be terminated.

We see Rachel having some kind of mind-meld with Harris, the traitor Gravedog caught. Rachel gives him commands; Harris may not even be in control of his own will.

The HardCorps team flies in and combat initiates.

At the right moment, Gravedog is seen sending a command to Harris, who then blows up their craft and pulls the plug on HardCorps powers for the team members.

Other team members get killed, Gravedog has delivered himself and a HardCorps brain unit to Harada who we've seen try to get one in the past.

But Harris worked for Angela and was on the science team, he wasn't assigned to Lifeline.

And why would Kozol allow a known traitor on the lifeline bridge at a critical moment?

[Dallow Spicer1]

Superb issue, didn't see the Gravedog double cross coming! It was a big read too, felt like more pages than usual (I know it was wasn't ).

Story and art both great! 5/5

[jmatt]

But Harris worked for Angela and was on the science team, he wasn't assigned to Lifeline.

And why would Kozol allow a known traitor on the lifeline bridge at a critical moment?

I will agree, they don't look the same. And now that I'm looking at it again, that's Gravedog's thumb pressing the button on his cellphone. I thought that since the caption was "Lifeline. Onboard Leviathan" that was the operative pushing the detonation button. But the color of the panels and the line "...you'll live through this" make it plain that's it's Gravedog detonating the ship.

My bad. I was fooled by the caption. And Gravedog told Kozol to leave the operative in place, which further made me think there was some justification for him being there.

So we're back to not knowing what Rachel and Harris are up to.